Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Maria Clara Need To Fight
Antoine and I walked for about two kilometers just to reach his house. My feet hurt a lot, not because of the distance but due to the rocky, slippery and uneven road we had to thread.
I dared not to complain even if a part of me wanted to tell him, "Carry me home!"
"We can rest." he suggested as if he was able to read my mind.
"No need." I refused. "I walk a lot. This is nothing."
He looked at me and I saw so much curiosity in his eyes.
"Won't you really tell me your name?"
I shook my head "no".
"What would I call you, then?"
I thought for a beautiful name. It has to be a very feminine and gorgeous one, just right for a heroine inside a story.
"Maria Clara*." I told him.
(The heroine of Jose Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere. She is an epitome of a Filipina with beauty and grace. Mr.Rizal is the Philippine's national hero.)
"MC...Maria Clara...you remind me of someone." he softly told me, almost inaudibly.
"Really? Who?" It was my turn to be curious.
He did not answer and continued walking.
"Who is she? Is she pretty? Like me?" I said with a laugh. I was trying to make our conversation pleasant as his silence bores me so.
"Avoid the cow dung." he warned.
Too good he told me as I was only inches away from stepping on a mushy one.
The rice field is like a maze. Without a guide one could get lost and if one is unlucky enough, he could fall inside an old well. They won't cover it. I did not think of any more explanation to cover it too in my story. Most victims are thieves anyway.
At last, I saw a roof!
No.
I was mistaken it was a warehouse.
I sighed.
My attention was soon caught by saw some panels that were carefully covered with grass and hay. These solar panels were used to sustain electricity in his house. He is so ahead of his time because this form of technology has not been introduced yet during this era.
He is such a genius.
A bit nerdy, too.
"Solar panels!" I pointed. "Cool."
His sudden stop almost made me crash on his back. He turned around with so much doubt visible in his face.
"How did you know?"
"Hmmm...I just know."
He came charging at me in quick strides. Too shocked and not knowing what to do with his unexpected reaction, I took a grip of a tear gas secretly hidden inside my bag.
So swiftly, I felt his body inches away from mine and had no time to spray him with my weapon.
"Stop!" I screamed while closing my eyes.
He simply put a rosary on my head.
"What are you doing?" I snarled, very annoyed that he scared the hell out of me.
"I'm sorry. I'm just checking." he removed it from my head. Still he would not stop until he was sure if I was not one of the bad creatures. "In Jesus Christ's name..." he started.
"I am not an evil entity!"
"Why do you know a lot about me?"
"I will tell you at the right time. Don't worry. I am not a bad person." I assured him while giving him my friendliest smile. "Let's go home, please?" I said while holding on to his arm, trying to sound so feminine and sweet. Admittedly, since I grew up with four big brothers, I could act a little boyish.
I might have seen it wrongly but his cold expression warmed in an instant.
"Alright." He seemed to be lost in thought and struggled for words to say. "Lady...you are too near...I mean...the house is near."
I let his arm go.
"I'm sorry." I apologized.
"It is alright." he answered with a faint blush on his cheeks.
After about a minute, we turned left and I saw a majestic house with remarkable Spanish architecture.
As he opened the door, an elderly woman greeted him. Her smile turned into a frown upon seeing me.
"Hermana* Auring, I hired her to assist you. Please lead her to her room where she can change her clothes." he instructed.
(This means "Sister/Elder Sister" in Spanish)
"I will take care of the rest, Child." she assured him.
He proceeded to his room without looking back. Hermana Auring looked at me from head to toe. She raised an eyebrow and made the sign of the cross.
"Come, clean yourself and let's see what you can wear."
"Thank you."
I stood in awe as I looked at the interiors of the house. It was a lot different when seen for real. There was a chandelier at the center of the living room and everything is just so grand. The living room itself, already seemed like a ballroom to me. Eveything is clean. The wooden floor scrubbed shiny and I can't see a speck of dust in the furniture.
"Come." Hermana Auring called for my attention.
"The last room on the right wing will be your room." she pointed and led me.
We proceeded to it. As she opened the door, I was surprised. If this is a room for servants, I tell you, this is just majestic. Hermana opened a big wooden cabinet and showed me about ten sets of baro't saya*.
(This means "blouse and skirt" in Filipino)
"Here. Good we always keep some spare clothes. Choose your size."
I thanked her again. She turned to leave but returned immediately. Her face showed so much curiosity.
"I just want to ask. How did you two meet? Where are you from?"
"I met him in...Cavite." I struggled to come up with a believable story. "He found me scurrying around."
"Oh."
"You see.." I bit my lip. "I ran away from my previous master. On the town's yearly feast, I disguised myself as circus performer that is why I am dressed like this. I apologize for how I look. "
I lied.
Sorry, Hermana.
"Oh, poor girl. I am so sorry for making you feel uncomfortable." she held my hands and then stroked my long hair. "I will cook chicken stew for you so that you can recover from your trouble. It must be a very tiring and exhausting ordeal!"
"Ah, you don't have to, really. I will be fine. You've already done much to me. How embarrassing!"
"I insist." She raised my arm and scrutinized it. "You are underweight. Your previous master is so wicked for not giving you enough to eat! I will take good care of you." she told me in such a motherly way that I could not refused her any longer.
Oh.
But, I don't eat meat.
The chicken is doomed.
"Run, chicken, run!" my mind screamed, wishing that the chickens I saw in the backyard will fly away, if that is even possible.
"See you later." she stepped out and closed the door.
She is really one nice lady.
I chose a white blouse and blue skirt to wear. They are two sizes bigger than mine but I preferred it more as fit ones make me really uncomfortable. I fixed my braided hair and smiled at my own reflection looking back at me from the antique mirror.
"Calm down. Maybe this is another dream. You'll get out of here soon." I made a fist and told myself as bravely as I could. "Beautiful Maria Clara needs to fight. Yes, girl. You will be just...fine..."
I opened the window and a breath of fresh air soothe me.
To my horror, I saw Hermana catching a chicken from the backyard. I felt sorry for the chicken she caught as it cried pitifully. I do not eat animals, really. It is hard to believe but they too, have souls.
As a proof, I saw my dead cat a year ago. She said goodbye to me and told me that heaven is real.
I closed the window in haste as my conscience could not bear to see Miss Chicken being slaughtered.
I lay on the huge mahogany bed, closed my eyes, and took a nap for a while.
Let me rest for a while.
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